Entertainment: Beautiful Music

Warning: It’s almost impossible to stop yourself from singing or humming along at a Cleveland Pops Orchestra performance.

Founded in 1995 to bring the popular music of stage, film and television to Northeast Ohio, the 65-piece orchestra is popular with all age groups. Music Director and Conductor Carl Topilow and President and CEO Shirley Morgenstern preview the 2018-2019 Concert Season, performed at 8 p.m. at Severance Hall:

Sondheim/Lloyd Webber 

Celebration — Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 

Send in the Clowns, Memory, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Sweeney Todd, and A Little Night Music… “Two of the greatest composers and a concert that stars dynamic Broadway star vocalists Hugh Panaro and Debbie Gravitte,” says
Topilow.

John Williams: Cinema’s Greatest
Music — Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 

Hear the well-known film music of the great Hollywood composer. “You can do five John Williams concerts a year and it wouldn’t be enough. Stars Wars without the music — unthinkable,”  says Topilow.

The Great American Songbook — 

Saturday, March 9, 2019 

“These are the songs that linger in your memory, from Ella Fitzgerald to Gershwin and Porter to Billy Joel, sung by guest
vocalists,” says Morgenstern. 

Now That’s Italian! — 

Saturday, April 13, 2019 

The concert will include guest vocalists and the Cleveland Pops Chorus. “An encore performance that includes pops, opera, Neapolitan ballads and more,” says Topilow.

18th Annual American Salute — Friday, May 24, 2019

One of Cleveland’s most cherished traditions is the Cleveland Pops’ tribute to our armed forces. “We started doing this concert in May 2001, and it has been among our most popular concerts. Often playing to a standing-room-only audience, this event is a wonderful way to kick off the Memorial Day weekend,” says Topilow.

SPECIAL EVENT CONCERTS

Holiday Pops Special —
Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, 2 p.m.,
Playhouse Square Center

The family event includes a visit with Santa, dancing Santas and pets to adopt from local shelters. “We do traditional holiday favorites,” says Morgenstern.

23rd Annual New Year’s Eve 

Concert and Party — Dec. 31, 2018,  9 p.m., Severance Hall

It’s always one of the most popular New Year’s Eve parties in Cleveland. After the concert, two bands supply music for dancing. “In addition, I get to do the countdown to midnight, which cues the fantastic balloon drop,” says Topilow. 

For more information, concert subscriptions or tickets: Cleveland Pops Orchestra, 216-765-7677, clevelandpops.com; or Severance Hall, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.